For optimum design of borehole thermal energy storage (BTES) and ground sources heat pump (GSHP) applications, determination of underground thermal properties is required. The design and economic feasibility (number and depth of boreholes) of these systems need thermal conductivity of geological structure, lambda (W m(-1) K-1), and thermal resistance of ground heat exchanger, R (K W-1 m). Thermal properties measured in laboratory experiments do not coincide with data of in situ conditions. Therefore, in situ thermal response test equipment has been developed and used in Canada, England, Germany, Norway, U.K., U.S.A. and Sweden to ensure precise designing of BTES systems. This paper describes the results and evaluations of the Adana continual thermal response test measurements. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.